16/01/2008

NI Unemployment Up - But Number In Work Also Rises

Latest figures show an increase in employment levels in Northern Ireland – but the unemployment rate also rose – though remaining below the UK average.

Seasonally adjusted figures estimate that there were 779,000 people in employment in Northern Ireland. The new figures represent an estimated increase of 0.8% in employment levels over the quarter and a rise of 1.2% over the year.

The Northern Ireland seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3% for the period September - November 2007. This represents an increase from the rate of 3.6% recorded last quarter, but is similar to the rate of 4.2% recorded in the same period one year ago.

The latest Northern Ireland rate remains below the UK average (5.3%) and is also considerably lower than the EU27 rate (7.0%) for October 2007.

The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits stands at 23,600. This shows an increase of 200 from the previous month and is down 3,200 over the year.

The latest seasonally adjusted working age economic inactivity rate in Northern Ireland (27.1%) has fallen from a figure of 27.8% recorded for the previous quarter. The Northern Ireland rate (27.1%) continues to be significantly higher than the UK average (21.0%) and is the highest among the UK regions.

Meanwhile, output from Northern Ireland's service sector industries recorded an increase over the year and output in the production sector fell.

Commenting on the figures, Economy Minister, Nigel Dodds said: "The number of people in employment continues to rise, which is testament to the strength of the Northern Ireland labour market. Despite a rise this quarter, unemployment in Northern Ireland is still at a very low level. The latest unemployment rate is well below the UK average and is second lowest among the UK regions."

(BMcC)

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